Good for proposal branding consistency; reporting clunky.
November 27, 2012
Good for proposal branding consistency; reporting clunky.

Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Software Version
Version 9.0 SR3 (9.0.3000.0016)
Modules Used
- Proposal Automation
Overall Satisfaction
Pros
- Organizes content in a consistent structure. Allows for Mandatory Content and Optional Content within an overall document framework.
- Maintains branding through Word templates/themes.
- Allows for the mix of “boilerplate” content, while giving the ability to personalize based on “edit codes”, such as using organization name throughout a proposal, using specific examples or images based on a given vertical/industry etc.
- A knowledge base/repository for question/answer pairs for RFP Allows “upload” of RFP questions and potentially “automatic” answering based on most popular answers given key words.
- Integrates to Salesforce.com, though we have not taken advantage, so I’m unsure to what degree it integrates. I assume it will allow to pull in contact name, address, etc.
Cons
- Until the latest release, the UI was getting “old”. The process of architecting a document seemed backwards (start with the specific content, then build an outline. It has since been fixed in newer versions.
- Not compatible with all browsers, or not latest version of browsers.
- Content still requires post-build editing for spacing around table of contents.
- Some users struggle with setup of Internet Explorer, macros and/or template styles, etc.
- Reporting is clunky.
- Does not have ability to configure pricing quotes.
- More consistent branding of proposals.
- Decrease in amount of time to create a proposal, allows more time to customize executive summaries, etc.
- Decrease in time even more pronounced with RFP responses, assuming answer pairs get updated often with product updates/feature enhancements.
- Allows new employees to deliver a high quality proposal with minimal ramp time.
Product Usage
26 - Sales, Presales (Solutions Engineers).
3 - IT Support for installing and upgrading releases on internal server (4 hours per year)
2-3 Persons trained as System Admins to manage users and perform content updates, typically 1 admin per module
Content provided by Product Marketing and Services Teams – this is where the work is concentrated.
2-3 Persons trained as System Admins to manage users and perform content updates, typically 1 admin per module
Content provided by Product Marketing and Services Teams – this is where the work is concentrated.
- Delivering consistently branded Proactive Proposals.
- Assistance in responding to RFPs: A Database of common “question and answer pairs” from typical RFPs received by the company.
Evaluation and Selection
No previous proposal automation software in use. We used to cut-and-paste content from other proposals, fact sheets, or created each proposal from scratch each time.
I was not part of the evaluation or negotiation team for this purchase. However, I recall that the methodology used by the founder of SANT as described in his books, played a role in the decision.
Implementation
- Vendor implemented
- Implemented in-house
Training
- Online training
- In-person training
- Self-taught
End user training is relatively easy for proactive proposals.
The RFP module requires online training at a minimum.
Administrators would require training to understand document structure and how to architect. How to setup and maintain different user profiles. How to integrate with CRM if applicable.
The RFP module requires online training at a minimum.
Administrators would require training to understand document structure and how to architect. How to setup and maintain different user profiles. How to integrate with CRM if applicable.
Support
Usability
Reliability
Integration
- Salesforce.com
System (apparently) can integrate with Salesforce.com – we have not done so yet.
You can also take advantage of Crystal Reporting
Qvidian is the merger of Sant Corporation and Kadient Software
You can also take advantage of Crystal Reporting
Qvidian is the merger of Sant Corporation and Kadient Software
Vendor Relationship
License fees, then yearly maintenance for in-house install. Would consider cloud based subscriptions if I were starting over.
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